HA 1 to SB 27

This Amendment does all of the following: (1) Requires the Office of New Americans (“Office”) to develop strategies to retain immigrant and international students in higher education, convene stakeholders to identify and reduce exploitation and fraud against immigrants, disseminate information about legal services available to new Americans, and coordinate with the State Refugee Coordinator. (2) Authorizes the Office to raise outside funds and enter into memonanda of understanding and other agreements as necessary to fulfill its statutory duties. (3) Provides that certain records of the Office are not “public records” under the Freedom of Information Act to protect the privacy of individuals that may seek services or resources from the Office. (4) Removes certain members from the Advisory Committee to the Office of New Americans (“Advisory Committee”) and replaces them with the Secretary of State, Attorney General, a member of the public appointed by the Governor, a member of the public appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and a member of the public appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. (5) Removes a provision requiring the Advisory Committee to hold 1 public hearing each year to receive public comment because § 10004(a)(2) of Title 29 requires each public body to provide an opportunity for public comment at each meeting.